History of Chicago, Rufus Blanchard, 1900
THE HISTORY OF THE INTER OCEAN
By Wm. H. Busbey
The first number of the Daily Inter Ocean was issued March 25, 1872. The founder was Mr. J. Young Scammon, an old, highly esteemed and public spirited citizen, who, realizing that there was a demand for an uncompromising republican daily, purchased the Associated Press franchise of the Bepublican, which had been wrecked in the disastrous fire of 1871. To keep the franchise alive, Mr. Scammon continued the publication of the Republican until all arrangements were perfected to start the new daily, with new men, new type and new machinery.
The republicanism of the initial number of the Inter Ocean was of the most stalwart order, the proprietor indicating the spirit of the paper in the crisp declaration: “Independent in nothing; republican in everything.”
Inter Ocean, April 15, 1872
THE “INTER-OCEAN.”
How it is Received by Our Contemporaries
[From the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Sentinel, Democratic.]
The new paper started at Chicago, called the Inter-Ocean, la rapidly becoming the leading Republican paper of the Garden City. It is a live, well-printed, ably edited newspaper, and the only thorough, outspoken Administration journal in Chicago.
[From the Fond du Lac (Wis) Commonwealth.]
The Inter-Ocean, a new paper, is rapidly taking a high position in the estimation of the public. It is sound in its principles, able in its advocacy of them, and enterprising in its efforts to become a really first-class newspaper. We regard its saccess as assured. Republicans who wish a really sellable paper can not do better than subscribe for the Inter-Ocean. They will soon get used to the name, though it is hard to endure at first.
[From the Madison (Ind.) Courler.]
The Inter-Ocean of Chicago, bright, sparkling and newsy as ever the Republican was, has been groetly improved in all ita departments. It la consistent in political utterance, and as a medium of nows and general intelligence, it has few equals. Our friend, H. W. Halford, formerly of the Indianapolie Journal, le the managing editor. There is no nonsense or sham about him, or fa the Inter-Ocean.
[From the Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune.]
Inter-Ocean is the name of the Chicago dally (formerly the Republican) with which Mr. Halford, late of the Indianapolis Journal, is connected as editor. It is a pretty name and, located as Chicago is, it is appropriate. The Inter-Ocean will be a respectable, high toned and able Republican paper Just so long as Mr. Halford shall be connected with it.
[From the Indianspolis Evening Journal.]
The Inter-Ocean, a new paper which has grown out of the Chicago Republican, has reached us. It is considerably enlarged and handsomely printed, while the arrangement of its editorial, local and news matter is good. The editorial columns of the I-O, reflect credit on the management.
[From the Bloomington (II.) Democrat.]
The Chicago Republican been enlarged and improved. and taken the name of Inter-Ocean. It commences a new series, is in favor of the present Administration, and expects to “fight it out on, that line if it takes all summer.”. With the exception of its Administration proclivites, it is a very good paper, and ranks among the best Chicago dailies.
[From the Jonesville Independent.]
We are pleased to learn that the free-trade-sore-head, Liberal Republican, Democratic Chicago Tribune, which has long misrepresented the interests of the country and the Republican party, Is now to meet with powerful opposition in the shape of a Chicago morning paper entitled the Inter-Ocean. For the good of American industry and the great Republican party, we hope this newspaper will prove all that loyal and right-thinking men could wish, and be liberally supported.
[From the Carlinville (IIl.) Democral.]
The Chicago Republican has expanded into the Inter-Ocean, and is now. close upon the heels of the leading dallies of Chicago. It is a strong Grand paper.
[From the Goshen (ind.) Times.)
The Inter-Ocean is the aime of a ne. Republican paper, published in Chicago, which bide falr to rank among the ablest and best journals of the day, and be an ardent and eficient exponent of the Republicat party. It is a large and well printed paper, published dally and weekly.
[From the Cincinnati Times and Chronicle.]
A Republican morning paper was very much needed at Chicago, and the new Inter-Ocean is admirably supplying the want. With abundant pecuntary resources to sustain it, and with superior qualities as a newspaper, it will no doubt outlive many of the unfriendly croakers who would mouth to see Chicago’» treacherous Tribune a little lowered in ita impudent pretensions.
[From Rochester (N. Y.) Democrat and Chronicle.]
The Chicago Republican will b=hereafter be known as the Inter-Ocean, and will be under the editorial control of J. Young Scammon. It has recently been greatly enlarged and improved in many respects. It will be out-and-out Administration organ, and an able one.
[From the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch.]
The Chicago Republican came out Monday as the Inter-Ocean, under the editorial management of Mr. J. Young Scammon, The paper is enlarged and great. ly improved in its make-up and general appearance. It will support the present. Administration and the nominee of the Philadelphia Convention.
[From the Indianapolis Journal.]
The Chicago Republican appeared on Monday, enlarged to a thirty-two columns. four-page folio, under the name of the Inter-Ocean; and makes a highly creditable appearance. to name is about the most inappropriate that could possibly have been selected, but notwithstanding that fact, there is a wide field for a live Republican newspaper at Chicago, and we have confidence that Mr. Scammon, the proprietor, intends to make the Inter-Ocean such a paper. He has the means and the brains to do so, and anything like good business management will certainly make it a grand success. There are thousands of good Republicans all over the Northwest who, having long since become dissatisfied with the Tribune, will hall the appearance of the Inter-Ocean with plesure, and will labor to give it a large circulation.
[From the Alton (III.) Record.]
The Chicago Republican appeared last week under new auspices, in an enlarged form, and with the name changed to Inter-Ocean. It now successfully competes with any of the Chicago dailies in size, ability, variety of news, commercial reports, and general make-up. It is the only, Republican dally now published in Chicago, and for that reason, as well as for its intrinsic merits, should be liberally patronized.
[From the Muscatine (Iowa) Journal.]
The Chicago Republicon has passed into the hands of Hon. John Y. Scammon, and is under the editorial control of Mr. K. W. Halford, late of the Indianapolis Journal, with an able corps of assistants in the several departments. It is enlarged and has become a straight-out Republican organ. The name has also been changed to the Inter-Ocean. The paper is in all respects improved, and ought to receive good support. It is the only reliable Republican morning paper in Chicago.
[From the Newton (Lowa) Pree Press]
The Chicago Republican has been superseded by the Inter-Ocean, J. Y. Scammon, proprietor, and E. W.Halford, managing editor. The Inter-Ocean is a large, ably edited, well printed, and a strictly Republican newspaper, and is destined to meet with great success. It is the only Republican morning paper in Chicago.
[From the Young America (Ill.) Plaindealer.]
Some time ago, the Chicago Republicon was purchased by J. Young Scammon—a wealthy man and a straightforward Republican—who has enlarged the paper, changed the name to the Inter-Ocean, and secured a talented managing editor in the person of Mr. Halford, late of the Indianapolis Journal. Under his able management the Inter-Ocean has stepped to the front rank of Chicago morning Journalism. It is edited with decided ability pot only in its political but in its news, city, commercial and miscellaneous departments. Since the Tribune has wandered off after strange gods, the Inter-Ocean is the ouly morning paper published in Chicago that upholds the principles and candidates of the Republican party, and as such we commend it to our Republican readers.
[From the Vinton (lowa) Bagle.]
Inter-Ocean is the name assumed by the old Chicago Republican, under the new management of J. Y. Scammon. It is more newsy than its predecessor.
[From the Tama County (Towa) Republican. ]
The Chicago Republicon, as a newspaper, is dead. and the Inter-Ocean is the phoenix that rises from its embers. J. Y. Scammon, of Chicago, is now the proprietor. A great improvement is visible to the dullest apprehension since its change of proprietors and editors, and it is now a clear, unmistakable Republican paper, and a fierce Grant warrior,
Mr. Scammon went into the enterprise with characteristic zeal and energy, and calling to his assistance a number of practical and experienced men, soon made the Inter Ocean a political power, not only in the city and state, but throughout the northwest.
Its radical republicanism and its devotion to the party it professed to represent were made so manifest during the presidential campaign of 1872 that it at once secured an influence in the party not equaled by many journals of much longer standing. The erratic course of other journals claiming to be republican also contributed much to the success of the new venture, and the circulation of the paper increased rapidly.
Mr. Scammon continued to be sole proprietor of the Inter Ocean until the spring of 1873, when the Hon. F. W. Palmer, of Des Moines, Iowa, bought a large interest and became editor-in-chief. Under his management the paper prospered until the panic of 1873 prostrated the affairs of the country and caused the financial embarrassment of Mr. Scammon, the principal proprietor. In the fall of 1875 the corporation, under pressure of large indebtedness, was compelled to sell the paper to a new organization. This transfer placed the Inter Ocean under the control of William Penn Nixon, who had been for some years the business manager.
Notwithstanding the great depression of the times, the paper was put on a firm footing by the infusion of new capital and the introduction of new and improved machinery, and entered upon a new era of prosperity. Through all its vicissitudes the Inter Ocean maintained its political integrity, constantly gaining in influence and circulation until the aggregate circulation of the several editions was probably larger than that of any other political paper in the country. The Inter Ocean was the first newspaper in the United States to perfect and use a folder, or machinery for cutting, pasting and
folding, attached to the press. This contrivance was the invention of Mr. Walter Scott, at that time superintendent of the Inter Ocean’s mechanical department. The Inter Ocean was the first newspaper in Chicago to print cable dispatches from London. It was also the first daily newspaper in Chicago to use illustrations.
From 1873 to May 1, 1880, the Inter Ocean was published at 119 Lake street. The establishment was then moved to more commodious and convenient quarters, in the new Inter Ocean building, 85 Madison street, and, May 1, 1890, to the still larger Inter Ocean building at the corner of Madison and Dearborn streets. In May, 1891, Mr. H. H. Kohlsaat bought a controlling interest in the Inter Ocean, and became the publisher. In May, 1894, Mr. Kohlsaat sold his interest to Mr. William Penn Nixon, who remained in control of the paper as editor and publisher until November 15, 1897, when Mr. Charles T. Yerkes purchased a controlling interest. Under the reorganization, Mr. Nixon was continued as publisher, and Mr. George Wheeler Hinman was made editor-in-chief and manager.
Under the new management, the Inter Ocean was conspicuous for its vigorous editorial policy and for its improved news service. It was one of the first newspapers in the United States to urge a resolute war policy in 1898, and through the Spanish- American war and the war in the Philippines was the zealous supporter and defender of the army and navy. It led also in the advocacy of the expansion policy, and undoubtedly exercised a greater influence in shaping thesentiment of the middle west than any other newspaper. It was “always American and always republican.”
Among the things that gave the Inter Ocean in creased prestige and influence was that throughout the Spanish and Transvaal wars it had a superior and exclusive foreign and domestic news service. In developing and improving this, the Inter Ocean purchased the service of the New York Sun. As the Associated Press management had declared a boycott on the Sun, the Inter Ocean became involved in a controversy with the Associated Press. The latter, in pursuance of its contention that the boycott was legal, cut off the press service without notice. The Inter Ocean made a fight for its rights and the case was carried to the Illinois Supreme court, where all the contentions of the Inter Ocean were sustained and all its rights and privileges in the Associated Press were restored. The question of damages was submitted to arbitrators, who awarded the Inter Ocean $40,500 as compensation for the arbitrary withholding of the Associated Press service for more than two years.
The circulation of the Daily Inter Ocean has increased under the new management 100 per cent. The weekly edition has the largest circulation of any political weekly in the west.
The Inter Ocean, May 7, 1914
Final Issue
- After several mergers, the Inter Ocean became Chicago’s American
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